As part of the Fire Cover Review, North Yorkshire is set to lose 43 frontline staff and replacing a fire engines with Tactical Response Vehicles carrying two fire-fighters.

Mr Wall said he is not surprised by the latest figures and warned that the loss of frontline staff and increased reliance on part-time recruits would only exacerbate the situation.

He said: “Due to the severity of cut backs in the fire service over the last 10 years, we have lost 5000 jobs and more than 40 fire stations have closed.

“With these further cuts we will have to replace whole time fire fighters that provide the back bone of the Fire and Rescue Service with part time recruits

“North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Authority have asked us to adopt other cultures approach and step back and wait for assistance if they turn up to a severe fire with just two people.

“That’s all well and good if that’s the culture but the English culture is to protect and prevent. I believe by these constant reductions it won’t be long before we are dealing with a fire-fighter death.”

With the consultation now closed, North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Authority explained they could not comment on the situation until after a decision was made on December 9.